Strict mining COVID protocols keep community safe

Strict COVID-19 protection and containment protocols by the Australian minerals industry have ensured a seamless and rapid response to keep the community safe following the detection of a single positive case of the COVID-19 virus at Newmont Australia’s Tanami site in the Northern Territory.

Newmont’s excellent record management, professionalism and workforce compliance have supported the quick and decisive activation of the company’s response plan including the temporary suspension of Tanami operations.

All employees at the site are now isolating apart from a small number of critical workers who are responsible for maintaining key systems.

Strong COVID-19 protocols put in place last year across Australia’s mining industry and scenario planning have  contributed to a quick and decisive response to this isolated incident.

Mining sites are effective quarantine facilities, shown by the use of the Howard Springs facility in the NT which is a former resource industry camp and the model for future Commonwealth quarantine facilities.

The adoption of strict world-leading protocols has enabled Australia’s minerals industry to continue to operate, keeping 240,000 people in work and generating $300 billion in export revenue and one-third of company tax revenues to fund essential services and infrastructure.

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